The planned hearing for Governor Joe Lombardo’s education bill was suddenly delayed Tuesday when an internet cable was accidentally cut right before the session was set to begin. Dozens of families and students who showed up to testify in support of the bill were turned away, leaving many conservatives wondering what this means for school choice and education reform in Nevada.
What happened?
According to social media posts from school choice advocate Dr. Valeria Gurr and Governor Lombardo, the hearing for AB584 (the Nevada Accountability in Education Act) was postponed due to technical issues when an internet cable was accidentally cut. The bill was introduced in Las Vegas at the end of April, with the official bill language posted just last week.
Breaking: The Internet cable got cut by mistake right before the hearing of Gov Lombardo’s education bill. Thus, #Ab584 got rescheduled, and all the families and students who went to testify couldn’t. #schoolchoice
Families, come back on Thursday. Time is TBD! This time, I need… pic.twitter.com/XJ2t7w1bTQ
— Valeria Gurr, PhD (@ValeriaGurr) May 21, 2025
According to the legislature website, hat the hearing has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 8:00 AM in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. It will be held in Room 3137 of the Legislative Building in Carson City and Room 2 of the Nevada Legislature Hearing Rooms in Las Vegas.
This education package is a big deal for Nevada families. It’s one of Lombardo’s top priorities for the 2025 legislative session. The governor unveiled his “Nevada Accountability in Education Act” on April 25 at Pinecrest Academy of Nevada, a charter school in Henderson.
Why this matters to conservatives
For folks who believe in limited government, this bill represents several core values. It aims to expand school choice and reduce government restrictions on which schools families can pick for their children.
“No child in Nevada should be trapped in a failing school because of their ZIP code,” Lombardo said when introducing the bill. These words speak directly to conservative beliefs that families – not government bureaucrats – should decide what’s best for their children’s education.
Governor Lombardo showed his continued commitment to the bill yesterday, posting:
“I’m honored by the outpouring of support for AB584, the Nevada Accountability in Education Act. Thank you to all of the students who came to testify today — we won’t be defeated by technical issues.”
I’m honored by the outpouring of support for AB584, the Nevada Accountability in Education Act.
Thank you to all of the students who came to testify today — we won’t be defeated by technical issues.
I look forward to you testifying at the rescheduled hearing on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/yRF9H6YCVh
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) May 20, 2025
The bill would let kids escape low-performing schools by making it easier to transfer to better district schools, charter schools, or even private schools. For parents tired of government telling them where their kids must go to school, this is a breath of fresh air.
What’s in the bill?
The education package has several parts that conservatives have long supported:
- Open enrollment policies that would let students attend schools outside their neighborhood
- Transportation support for students in low-performing schools to access better options
- Merit pay for teachers through a new Excellence in Education Fund, rewarding the best educators
- Improved literacy programs for young students, focusing on proven phonics-based approaches
- Extended funding for charter schools for staff raises and transportation
The bill would also create a system to hold school districts more accountable for their performance. If districts don’t improve after being placed on probation, they could face state oversight or intervention.
Dr. Valeria Gurr, a prominent school choice advocate, posted about the delay on social media, urging families to return for the rescheduled hearing: “Families, come back on Thursday. Time is TBD! This time, I need allies, parents, and students to come. We fight back until they listen to us. Thank you, @JosephMLombardo, for fighting alongside us. Yes on #AB584.”
Opposition from the other side
Democrats in the legislature have their own competing education bill (SB 460), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro. Their bill also addresses accountability but gives school districts more power to object to charter school placements.
Tensions between Lombardo and Democratic lawmakers flared recently when legislative Democrats removed charter school teacher pay raises from the education budget. The governor has indicated charter school funding is his “line in the sand.”
Many conservatives see the technical delay as just another hurdle in the ongoing battle to expand educational freedom in Nevada. Some have even questioned the timing of the cable being cut, though no evidence suggests it was anything but an accident.
What’s next?
With the 120-day legislative session ticking away, time is becoming a factor. For families hoping for more school choices, showing up at Thursday’s rescheduled hearing will be crucial.
For conservatives who support the bill, there are several ways to help:
- Attend the rescheduled hearing on Thursday, May 22 at 8:00 AM in person
- Contact your state representatives to express support for school choice
- Share your family’s education stories with lawmakers
- Join parent advocacy groups pushing for education reform
Governor Lombardo has made it clear that this technical delay won’t stop the bill from moving forward. But for families eager for more control over their children’s education, every day of delay means another day their children might be stuck in underperforming schools.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
